Wyre Forest health information
Health facts
Reliable sources of information for local health related data include:
Worcestershire County Council produce updates on various public health topics through their Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The JSNA provides information on health and well-being in order to inform decision making. It facilitates the improvement of health and well-being and the reduction of inequalities for the local community. It is used to determine what actions local authorities, the NHS, and other partners need to take to meet people's health and social care needs and to address the wider determinants that impact on their health and well-being.
Worcestershire Insights - a free and open website allowing users to easily access local data relevant to Worcestershire.
Public Health England’s annual Wyre Forest health profile provides facts and figures on health issues such as obesity, alcohol use, mental health and physical activity.
Health structure and strategy
Worcestershire Health and Wellbeing Board
The Health and Wellbeing Board brings together the organisations responsible for improving health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities across Worcestershire. Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Health and Wellbeing represents us on the Board.
Worcestershire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022 to 2032
The Health and Wellbeing Board is required to develop a strategy including a vision and priorities for improving the health and wellbeing of people who live and work in Worcestershire. The 2022 to 2032 ‘Being Well in Worcestershire’ Strategy, was adopted by the Health and Wellbeing Board, following extensive public consultation and identifies good mental health and wellbeing as the main priority.
The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) is a partnership of NHS organisations, local authorities, voluntary and community organisations and others. The ICS aims to bring these organisations together to provide health and care to patients in a more joined up way. The ICS aims to address all of the factors that affect people’s health – from jobs to housing, from education to environment, in addition to access to health services.
Wyre Forest District Collaborative
District Collaboratives bring together Primary Care Networks (groups of GP Practices), District Councils, Public Health, Voluntary and Community Sector, Housing, Police and others. These organisations collaborate to meet the needs of the communities they service. In Wyre Forest, priorities identified include mental health and wellbeing, obesity, frailty, supporting vulnerable adults, Best Start in Life and community connectedness. Example of recent outcomes include:
- Providing a community-based wellbeing course, which GPs can refer to.
- Promotion of different services in local medical centres.
- Targeted support for people with cold-exacerbated medical conditions, to help them stay warm and well at home.
- Joint organisation of events such as the Showcase of Services for those aged 50+.
- Improving access to health services for homeless residents.
Wyre Forest Health Action Plan 2025
The current priority themes for the Wyre Forest Collaborative are:
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Theme |
Topics to include: |
|---|---|
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Population Health Management |
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Vulnerable Adults |
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Community Connectedness |
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Best Start in Life |
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Health Inequalities |
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Health Protection |
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Wyre Forest District Council will support these themes through the following actions, carried out in partnership with Wyre Forest Collaborative partners:
|
Action |
Indicator |
Notes/Information |
Collaborative themes supported |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Promote uptake of the Healthy Start voucher scheme. |
Percentage of eligible Wyre Forest residents taking up the scheme. |
Healthy Start is a Government Scheme that provides weekly vouchers to eligible pregnant women and parents of children under four. These vouchers can be spent on milk, fruit and vegetables and also includes coupons for free vitamins. See https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/ |
Best Start in Life Population Health |
|
Promote Children’s Mental Health Week |
Activities/ communications during the Week. |
Children's Mental Health Week (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk) takes place in February 2025 |
Best Start in Life Population Health |
|
Co-ordinate Mental Health and Wellbeing Showcase events in local High Schools |
Number of events held/ number of attendees. Feedback results. |
Showcase events are held in local high schools, bringing together organisations providing mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people. |
Best Start in Life Population Health
|
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Promotion of local voluntary opportunities and the mental health benefits of volunteering. |
Activities/ communications during Volunteering Week. Support for funding bid to increase infrastructure support for voluntary sector. |
Volunteers Week takes place annually in June. |
Population Health |
|
Co-ordination of the Wyre Forest Suicide Prevention Group |
Bi-annual meetings held. Activities (e.g. events, training) delivered. |
The Wyre Forest Suicide Prevention group supports local delivery of the Worcestershire Suicide Prevention Plan Suicide prevention and support | Worcestershire County Council |
Population Health Best Start in Life Health Inequalities |
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Promotion of mental health and wellbeing campaigns and local support available |
Activities / communication of campaign messages and support. |
Key campaigns include: World Suicide Prevention Day World Mental Health Day Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Foundation These will be promoted to WFDC staff through the Health and Wellbeing group and more widely through our external communication channels and networks. |
Population Health Best Start in Life |
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Support for/ promotion of Wyre Forest Park Yoga |
Numbers attending and feedback |
Partnership pilot project between Onside, Public Health, Park Yoga and WFDC. |
Population Health Health Inequalities |
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Support for/promotion of activities for children and young people |
Attendance at/feedback from youth services commissioned by WFDC |
Funding provided by Worcestershire County Council for commissioning of youth services. |
Population Health Health Inequalities Best Start in Life |
|
Winter Warmth promotions |
Numbers of residents supported via the helpline/ at energy advice surgeries. Attendance at fuel poverty training. |
In partnership with Act on Energy, promotion of energy advice and support Energy efficiency |
Population health Health Inequalities |
|
Warmth on Prescription project |
Numbers of people supported, and health outcomes achieved |
Funded through the Household Support Fund. Collaborative partners identify and support vulnerable residents with health conditions exacerbated by the cold. |
Population health Health Inequalities |
|
Delivery of the Asset Based Community Development Project |
Impact report to show outcomes achieved. |
WFDC funded through Public Health to deliver asset based community development activity in 4 areas of the district. Project ends on 31 March 2025. |
Community Connectedness Population health Heath Inequalities |
|
Homeless Health Charter implementation |
Update meetings held with Wyre Forest Health partnership |
Ongoing project to improve access to health and housing services to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness |
Population health Health inequalities |
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Health and Housing project |
Workshop held and numbers attending |
Aim for more joined up working/ awareness of services and referral pathways between the sectors. |
Frailty |
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Showcase of Services for 50+ events |
Number of events/ attendees Feedback received |
Aim is to hold an event in each of the 3 main towns. |
Population health
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Support for active travel through the Wyre Forest Cycle Forum |
Quarterly meetings held |
Population health |
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Information and resources |
Monthly health and wellbeing newsletter produced |
Sign up link at |
Community Connectedness |
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Promotion of Dementia Wellbeing support |
Numbers attending training |
Awareness about current support in place |
Population health |